All the Mexican flavor without the fat or guilt. My Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake just might be your new favorite.
Happy Wednesday everyone!
My love of Mexican food runs deep. In fact, I could eat variations of it three times a day and want to start over again tomorrow. I'll basically make up any excuse to eat Mexican food and drink margaritas!
In honor of my favorite food, I thought I'd share a new health-i-fied Mexican dish today. I'm even busting back out the slow cooker for you. It may or may not be the last time of the season. We shall see 🙂
I'm calling it Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake! I wanted to add smoky chipotle in the title too.... but alas I decided that was a bit too wordy. But never fear, it IS smoky and chipotle flavored.
Why you'll love this Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake...
The smoky flavor comes from adding a chipotle in adobe sauce! They are a little spicy so add as much or as little as you can handle. The flavor is incredible though.
My Mexican Quinoa Bake is super versatile. You can just scoop it out and eat it as a main dish with toppings.
Or you can use it as a taco or burrito filling.
If you are like me use it for breakfast tacos with eggs, a burrito for lunch and Mexican inspired bowl for dinner with avocado and fresh cilantro.
And don't forget the lime. 🙂
My favorite way is with fresh tomato, green onion, cilantro, AND fresh sliced avocado! I mean how can you go wrong here?
The quinoa and beans make a complete protein and the veggies add plenty of healthy benefits. It has all the good Mexican flavors but without any of the guilt!
Enjoy any day or all day!
Also try these Mexican Favorites!
- Vegetarian Taco Salad with Creamy Avocado Cilantro Dressing
- Crock Pot Lentil Tacos
- Southwest Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
- Vegetarian Crock Pot Taco Soup
- Vegetarian Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Black Bean & Avocado Quesadilla
- Vegetarian Oven Fajitas
- Black Bean Enchilada Stack
- Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas
- 3 Bean Enchiladas
Love this Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake? Pin it to your favorite board.
Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 ½ cups quinoa
- 2 ¼ cups high-quality vegetable broth
- 1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, chopped
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ cups reduced-fat Mexican cheese
- toppings: sliced avocado, diced tomato, cilantro, lime, green onions
Instructions
- In a separate saute pan over medium heat, saute the onion and pepper for 3-5 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add everything except the cheese (and toppings) to the Crock Pot and mix. Turn to high and cook for 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours and 15 minutes. Cook just until the quinoa is tender.
- Fluff the quinoa and then smooth back out the top. Sprinkle with cheese and put the lid back on just until the cheese melts.
- Serve with any of the toppings!
Notes
Nutrition
Your turn!
Do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
Angela Campos says
This looks so amazing! I love making dinner in my crockpot during the winter months, can't wait to try this recipe!!!
Abby Langer says
This sounds amazing! I love anything in one pan :).
Rachel says
I love using my crockpot. I'll have to add this to the rotation!
Deborah Brooks says
Quinoa and black beans are always a fantastic combo! Love chile in Adobo sauce and use it all the time. Spicier the better over here
Mary Ramirez says
This was amazing! I served it in tortillas drizzled with enchilada sauce and sour cream on the side. My meat eating friends were blown away and never missed the meat. If I were making it just for myself, I would add much more chipotle pepper but using just one was safer for everyone's palate. Definitely a keeper.
JulieWunder says
Yay! I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks for letting me know!
Mary Ramirez says
ONE chipotle? Or one can????
JulieWunder says
One chipotle!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I never thought to make quinoa in the crockpot! Definitely want to try that...we love Mexican food here too!
JulieWunder says
You can do SO much with this too!!!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
Loving this vegetarian meal - so easy and has ALL of my favorites 🙂 Definitely something I could eat on at every meal and day after day without getting bored with it. So many topping and serving options - yum!
JulieWunder says
Thank you! It's such an easy dish to have in your arsenal too.
GiGi Eats says
Avocados are just the best. I don't know I lived my life for so long WITHOUT THEM! HA! Now I can barely go 2 days without them!
JulieWunder says
I feel the same way. I've been a little avocado crazy lately.
Miz Helen says
Easy and Flavorful that is my kind of recipe, it looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing them with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
Miz Helen
JulieWunder says
Thank you for hosting!
Sharon says
Are you sure on the serving size? My daughter made this it's really good however there is a huge amount of good.
Farrah says
Ah, you know I love healthy crockpot recipes--this looks amazing! :D!! I love all the colors!
Annmarie says
This looks fantastic! Love that you used quinoa!
JulieWunder says
Thank you!! It's so versatile.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Yum! This dish sounds delicious. I love Mexican food so when there is a way to make it a bit healthier I like it even more.
JulieWunder says
Me too! Thanks Lacey!
Lex @ Flecksoflex says
This looks and sounds so good! I love experimenting with different Latin flavors/spices, and LOVE that you added cilantro. It's one of my favorites! If you have leftover cilantro and lime, you can make a nice, refreshing drink by adding a little of each to your water. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
JulieWunder says
Thank you! Cilantro is one of my favs too.
Christina Bauer says
I'm totally saving this recipe!! What a great, easy way to get a healthy and flavorful dinner on the table 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thank you!! I'm so glad you like it!
Carmy says
This looks delicious!! I didn't have anything in particular to celebrate but I did have some grilled cheese haha
JulieWunder says
Love some grilled cheese 🙂
rachel @ athletic avocado says
i totally forgot about my crockpot! I need to break that out again. This looks so delicious and simple, perfect for today 🙂
JulieWunder says
Oh I never forget about my Crock Pot :-)) Hope you are having a nice Monday!!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
I will likely be having yogurt or something equally hilarious for dinner tonight (thank you, moving), but I do have a jar of salsa that I could take a spoon to in honor of the holiday. This looks great!
JulieWunder says
Hope you can settle in this week and get back to normal.
Mary Jean Henson says
Am making this today!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I literally made almost the same exact thing last night in a skillet! Great minds think alike it was delish!
JulieWunder says
Love your version too.
Marilyn says
Making this asap! Looks awesome!
JulieWunder says
I hope you enjoy it!!!
Blane Sherer says
I thought you would have a Cinco De Mayo
recipe today ( smile )
JulieWunder says
Oh course! Any excuse for Mexican food!